Apparatus for forming bags



April 2, 1940.

C. F. SCHULTZ El AL I APPARATUS FOR FORIIIRG BAGS Filed April 25, 19:58

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORJ. jam 11.726

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ATTORNEKS.

April 1940- c. F. SCHULTZ ET AL 2,195,583

APPARATUS FOR FURIING BAGS a Sheeits-Sheet 2 F110;: April 25; 1958 -a. wnum a mmnumu rF v I I NVENTOR5 .C'HAKAEJ Fin/u; no BY [K4 5.5090424.

ATTORNEYS.

April 2, 1940. c. F. SCHULTZ El AL APPARATUS FOR FORIING BAGS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 25, 19:58

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Patented Apr. 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PSATENT "OFFICE Application April 25, 1938, Serial No. 204,022

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in an apparatus for forming bags, and has among its objects the production of an improved bag in which various articles of merchandisc may be packed.

It is proposed to provide a bag that is durable in character, and which is made of suitable material for protecting the merchandise contained therein against the entrance of moisture or foreign matter. .The bags which are made in accordance with our method will withstand rough handling without breaking.

More particularly we propose to manufacture bags from suitable fusible material, such as rubber hydrochloride sheet. It should be understood, however, that we do not wish to be restricted to any particular type of material. We find from practice that rubber hydrochloride sheet is pliable and sections thereof may be readily fused together in our apparatus and by utilizing our process.

A further object of our invention resides in the manufacturing of bags by an improved method, in which individual bags may be formed from a roll of sheet materiaL or the like, in a continuous process. The sides of the walls in each bag are firmly bound together by fusing, which will withstand considerable strain without rupture.

A still further object is to provide apparatus for forming the bags from fusible sheet material, in which the fusing of the walls of each individual bag together is accomplished during the cutting of the bags from the sheet material.

It is further proposed to provide an apparatus for carrying out the steps of our method, which is automatic in action and which will manufacture the bags at a relatively low cost, while maintaining a high standard product.

Moreover, we propose to arrange an apparatus in such a manner that bags of various sizes and shapes may be formed on the same apparatus, the latter being adjustable for changing from one size to another.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will appear as the specification continues, and the novel features of our apparatus will be particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

reference should be had to the accompanying For a better understanding of our invention Figure 2 a front elevation thereof Figure 3 a transverse sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1; 5

Figure 5 a horizontal section taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4, parts being shown in plan view;

Figure 6 a transverse sectional view taken through the blades of our cutter illustrating the cutting and fusing action of the blades;

Figure 7 a blank sheet of material from which our bags are formed;

Figure 8 illustrates the same sheet after it has been folded back upon itself along a line extending lengthwise of the sheets Figure 9 a plan view of one of the completed bags; and

Figure 10 an enlarged sectional view along the line Ill-l0 of Figure 9.

' While we have shown only. the preferred form of our invention we wish to have it understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the annexed claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In carrying our invention into practice we provide an apparatus indicated generally at l, and including in its structural features, a spool 2 for supporting a roll of sheet material 3, a folding device 4 adapted for folding the sheet back upon itself, a sheet advancing means 5, and a combined cutting and fusing mechanism 6 for forming the bags from the folded sheet.

Referring now to Figures '7 to 10, inclusive, it will be noted that we have illustrated a section of the sheet material 3 from which a number of individual bags I may be formed. The material 3 is folded back upon itself long a line 8, which extends lengthwise of the sheet, and this is accomplished by the folding device 4 in the manner hereinafter set forth.

The sheet thus folded presents a closed end 9 and confronting walls In for a plurality of bags. As the folded sheet passes through our apparatus, the sheet is cut transversely from edge to edge 45 as indicatedby the dottedlines H in Figure 8 to provide individual bags. This cutting is done by the combined cutting and fusing mechanism 6, and the latter fuses the marginal portion I2 of the confronting walls of each bag together 5ov along the sides of the bag. The tops of the bags are left open as at l3 (see Figure 10) for the insertion of merchandise thereinto.

We have found from practice that the commercial product known as "Pliofilm. which is a rubber hydrochloride sheet, is particularly adapated for use in carrying out our method. The material may be obtained in various widths and weights and two sections thereof may be easily fused together. This material is mentioned only by way of illustration and we again point out that we do not wish to be limited to this particular material.

In Figures 1 and 2 we disclose a. supporting structure M on which our apparatus is mounted, and including four upight posts l5, a horizontally disposed upper rectangular frame |6 secured to the top of the posts by any suitable means, and a lower rectangular frame mounted on the posts above the floor It.

The frames 6 and I! have rearwardly projecting extensions l9 and 26, respectively, which are disposed in spaced and parallel relation with respect to each other (see Figure 2). The spool 2 is disposed between the extensions l9 and 26 and is fixed to a vertical spindle 2|, the lower end of which is journaled in a bearing 22.

The upper extension |9 has a-notch 23 formed therein for rotatably receiving the top section of the spindle. For holding the spindle in the notch 23 we provide a rod 24 having a lug 25 thereon (see Figure 2) that normally overlies the spindle. A crank 26 may be used to turn the rod 24, and this will allow the lug 25 to be moved into a position for clearing the spindle and permit the spindle to be withdrawn from the bearing 22 and the notch 23 when it is desired to change the supply of material on the spool 2.

For the purpose of raising or lowering the spool 2 we provide a crank 26', which is threaded onto the upper end of the spindle as at 21. This arrangement allows the spool to be adjusted axially for positioning the upper and lower edges 28 and 29, respectively, of the sheet material relative to each other as the material is folded back upon itself during the advance over ed vertically and is secured to the supporting frame structure, while the intermediate portion 32 is gradually twisted so as to bring the edges 33 and 34 of the sheet together to present a horizontally-disposed shelf 35 adjacent feed rollers 36 and 31.

As the sheet of material 3 is unwound from the spool 2, it is guided around a yieldinglymounted vertical roller 38 and is then turned rearwardly again and guided around a second vertically-disposed roll 39 (see Figure 1). The sheet then passes over the outer face of the folding device 4, which automatically causes the sheet to be folded back upon itself to present the closed end 9 and the confronting walls III for the bags.

The feed rollers 36 and 31 which form part of the advancing means 5 previously referred to, are intermittently turned for drawing the sheet material 3 over the folding device. The roller 36 is fixed to a transverse shaft 40, the ends of which are journaled in bearings 4| formed in a pair of links 42.

In Figures 1, 2 and 4, we show the links 42 as being journaled at sides of the apparatus on a transversely-extending shaft 43. Springs 44 are connected to the links 42 so as to yieldingly urge the roller 36 toward the roller 31. These rollers are preferably formed with rubber outer surfaces in order to grip the folded sheet 3 therebetween. Intermittent movement is imparted to the roller 31 through the mechanism illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. The roller is fixed to a shaft 45 which is arranged parallel to the shaft 46. A sleeve 46 (see Figure 5) is loosely mounted on the shaft 46 and has a gear 4! fastened thereto. The sleeve forms the inner element of a conventional clutch 46 of the unidirectional drive type, the outer element 49 of the clutch being secured to the shaft 45.

Referring to Figure 4 it will be seen that we guide a chain 50 over the gear 41. One end of the chain is anchored to a spring 5| and the other end is fastened to a collar 52, the latter being adjustable along the length of a rocker arm 53. This rocker arm is suitably supported at 54 for swinging movement, which is imparted thereto by means 'of a cam 55 acting through a roller 56.

The cam 55 is fixed to a main drive shaft 51 and the latter is operated by a motor 56 through pulleys 59 and a belt 66 (see Figure 2) The cam is designed to cause the end 6| of the rocker arm to oscillate up and down as the drive shaft is turned.

0n the down stroke of the end 6| of the rocker arm the chain 50 causes the gear 41 to rotate in a clockwise direction in Figure 4, which movement is imparted by the clutch 46 to the shaft 45.

As the shaft 45 is turned, the rollers 36 and 31 coact in gripping the sheet of material therebetween and a section of the latter is caused to project to the right-hand side of the rollers. The rollers 36 and 31 are caused to rotate in opposite directions by gears 62 (Figure 1) and 63 (Figure 5), which are fastened to the shafts 46 and 45, respectively.

During the return up stroke of the rocker arm end 6| the chain 50 turns the gear 4'! in a counter clockwise direction due to the spring 5|. The gear 41, however, does not rotate the shaft 45 during this movement on account of clutch 48, which is allowed to idle. It will be understood that the adjustment of the collar 52 along the rocker arm 53 determines the length of the strip of sheet material 3 that is projected to the right of the rollers 36 and 31 during each down stroke of the arm end 6|. This length of sheet material determines the final width of the completed bag. The sheet material 3 is folded back 'upon itself as indicated in Figure 8 prior to being engaged between the rollers 36 and 31.

The cutting and fusing action now takes place. A stationary cutter blade 62 is mounted to have the double thickness of sheet material 3 pass thereover. We provide a movable cutter blade 63, which coacts with the stationary cutter blade in cutting the sheet material 3 along the lines II in Figure 8. These blades preferably taper from end to end so as to cut from one side of the material to the other side as the knives close upon the interposed material.

The movable cutter blade has a bar 64 fixed to its rear face, and this bar has trunnions 65 (Figures 2 and 4), projecting from the ends thereof into sockets which are formed in a pair of arms 66. Springs 61 (Figure 4) tend to swing the bar 64 about the trunnions 65 for the purpose of yieldingly holding the movable cutter blade against the sharpened edge of the stationary cutter blade 62 during the cutting action. A stop 68 (see Figure 4) limits the swinging movement of the bar 64 in a clockwise direction.

The arms 66 are pivotally supported at 169 and a shaft 19 is used to connect these arms together. For actuating the arms 66 and thereby swinging the movable cutter blade 63, we provide a con necting rod H, the upper end of which is journaled on the shaft III, while its lower end is pivoted at I2 to a second rocker arm 13. The latter is journaled at I4 at one end and its opposite end carries a roller 15 that rides on the surface of a cam 16 fastened to the main drive shaft 51.

At the proper time the connecting rod II is moved downwardly by the cam 16 and this draws the movable cutter blade down over the cutting edge of the stationary cutter blade 62. Further movement of the cam 16 will allow the arms 66 to be raised again by springs 11 (Figures 2 and 4).

The steps for fusing the marginal portions of the confronting walls of the individual bags together along the line of cut is accomplished during the cutting operation. A heating element 18 'is fixed to the front face of the movable cutter blade 63 and extends along the entire length of the latter (see Figures 1, 4 and 6). This heating element maintains the blade 63 and the bar 64 in a heated condition during the operation of the at the proper temperature, the confronting walls will be fused together as at 8|.

A yielding platform 82 is mounted in front of the stationary cutter blade 62 and below the top of the latter as illustrated in Figure 6. The platform is guided for vertical movement in a channel 83, which is adjustably supported on brackets 84 (Figure 4).

As the movable cutter blade 63 descends, thev trailing section 85 is pressed between the lower surface of the blade 63 and the yielding platform 82, which results in fusing the walls III of the bag lb together at 86.

The bags are then guided over a roller 81 at the front end of our apparatus, which is fastened to a rotatable shaft 88. The latter carries a sprocket 89 (Figures 2 and 5) that is driven by a second sprocket 90 through a chain 9|. The

sprocket 90 is mounted on the main drive shaft 51. The bags are discharged upon any suitable stacking mechanism 92 (Figure 2) after they leave the roller 81.

In actual practice we find that there is a tendency for the bags to adhere to the platform 82. This may be prevented by covering the platform with a strip of fabric v93 (see Figures 5 and 6), and by providing a number of rollers 94 on swingable levers 95, which are arranged to press against the upper surface ofthe bags and pull the latter away from the platform 82.

The levers 95 are adjustably fixed to a rockable shaft 96 and the latter is oscillated by an arm 91, which is connected to a second arm 98 through a link 99 (Figure 4) When the link 99 is moved upwardlythe rollers 94 are pressed downwardly against the 'bags to free the latter from the platform 82. The arm 98 is actuated by means of a lever I90, the upper end of which is curved and disposed in the path of a projection llll that rotates with the main drive shaft 51.

The arm 98 and the lever I66 are both fixed to a rod I82 and a spring I03 yieldingly holds the arm and lever in the position illustrated in Figure 4.

It will be understood that the cams 55 and I6 and the projection llil are secured to the main drive shaft 51 in three different planes along the length of the shaft.

The operation of our bag-making apparatus may be briefly described as follows:

A roll of suitable material 3 is placed upon the spool 2, and the free end of the roll is guided around the pulleys 38 and 39 and is drawn across the outer surface of the forming device 4. One

section I03 of the material is positioned below the horizontal shelf 35 and a second section I04 above the shelf. The leading edge of the sheet material is then introduced between the rollers 36 and 31, and the collar 52 is adjusted along the rocker arm 53 to give the desired width to the bags.

The spool 2 is raised or lowered so that the edges 28'and 29 of the bag, which define the bag opening I3 (see Figure 10) will be aligned with respect to each other. If it is desired to offset one edge 28 with respect to the other edge 29, the spool 2 may be adjusted accordingly.

The apparatus is now ready to be set in motion. The motor 58 is started and thereupon the rollers 36 and 31 advance a section of the folded sheet material 3 and the section is projected to the right-hand side of these rollers. The movable cutter blade 63 is now drawndown over the stationary cutting blade 62 so as to cut off a bag from the projecting section offolded material.

Although we have described'our bags as being formed from a single sheet of material, we desire to point out that two strips of material may be fed from separate spools with the strips presented in confronting relation as they are advanced between the rollers 36 and 31. In this case the bottom of each individual bag would be formed by an extension on the bar 64 that would fuse the bottom edges of the walls of the bag together.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for forming bags from confronting sheets of fusible material, a pair of coacting cutters, means for feeding the confronting sheets between the cutters, means for heating one of the cutters, and means coacting with v the cutters for fusing the confronting sheets together on both sides of the line of cut during the cutting operation.

2. In an apparatus for forming bags from confronting sheets of fusible material, a pair of coacting cutters, means for feeding the confronting sheets between the cutters, means for heating one of the cutters, means coacting with the cutters for fusing the confronting sheets together on both sides of the line of cut during the cutting operation, and means for removing the out part of the sheets from the cutters after the fusing step.

3. In an apparatus for forming bags from superimposed sheets of fusible material, a movable cutter blade having a bar mounted on one face thereof, means for heating the, cutter and cooperating with the heated movable cutter blade the bar, a stationary cutter blade arranged to for fusing the sheets together on the opposite enact with the movable cutter for cutting the side of the line of cut, and means for actuating superimposed sheets therebetween, the bar and the movable cutter blade. stationary cutter bl 'ie being disposed to fuse the sheets together on one side of the line of cut CHARLES F. SCHUL'IZ. during the cutting operations, a yielding platform mA'E. SCHULTZ. 

